4th March, 2003

Business and technology integrator, Atos Origin, has announced the completion of one of the world's largest SAP implementations for Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil and gas company.

The implementation for Saudi Aramco has replaced about 75% of the company's systems infrastructure (more than 170 systems) with a single, integrated SAP R/3 system that serves 23,000 people across all the company's main functions in 200 major locations, worldwide.

The project was first conceived in 1997, when Saudi Aramco gave the go-ahead to implement SAP R/3. The implementation was then completed in three main stages. The first area to go live on the new system was Saudi Aramco's Human Resources function, including all personnel administration, which was completed in November 1999.

The second stage covered Saudi Aramco's Product and Sales function for Hydrocarbon Management, and was completed in November 2001.

The third stage covers the remaining core functions of Saudi Aramco: Finance and Accounting, Materials Supply, Plant Maintenance, Contracting and Procurement, Warehousing, Projects and Capital Planning, and Knowledge Management. All key modules were implemented, including Business Warehouse, which provides Saudi Aramco with critical reporting and business intelligence.

Today, Atos Origin is engaged in assisting the client for both maintaining the system and strategically evaluating the implementation of mySAP.com suite of products and other strategic projects throughout the organization.

Some of the major challenges included: integrating the data that was housed in 170 different systems; the number of on-line interfaces required; and the simultaneous go-live of over 40 plants.

When asked if SAP R/3 has met expectations so far, the answer is resoundingly positive: "Everyone we have asked has said yes," said Ahmed M. Al-Zayyat, general manager of the SAP computer centre, "which is surprising since there was resistance in the beginning to an integrated system in which information had to be shared. SAP has forced us to share business knowledge and to cooperate, and has helped switch our mindset from an organizational to a corporate outlook."

One of the major forces behind the success of the world's largest implementation was the outstanding dedication by Saudi Aramco and Atos Origin. "The main reason for the successful on-time implementation was the world-class performance by Saudi Aramco and Atos Origin staff," confirmed Mr. Al-Zayyat.

The Big Bang was pronounced a milestone in the history of Saudi Aramco by Abdallah S. Jum'ah, president and CEO, after 98 percent of this immense SAP project was completed by go-live, some of it a full year ahead of schedule.

"The Saudi Aramco SAP project has been unique. We have presented the greatest implementation challenge," said Dr. Ibrahim S. Mishari, vice president of Information Technology.

About Saudi AramcoSaudi Aramco is the world's largest oil and gas company, with an oil output of 8.6 million barrels per day and gas output of 4.6 billion cubic feet per day. It is a global company with a presence in Asia, Europe and the United states, employing 56,000 people in 50 countries.

About Atos OriginAtos Origin is an international information technology services provider. Its business is turning client vision into results through the application of consulting, systems integration and managed operations, including outsourcing and on-line services. In August 2002, Atos Origin acquired KPMG Consulting in the UK and the Netherlands, trading as Atos KPMG Consulting. The company generates annual revenues of EUR 3.3 billion, employs 28,000 employees in 30 countries. The Group's client list includes major companies such as ABN-Amro, Akzo Nobel, Alstom, BNP Paribas, British Petroleum, Euronext, Fiat, ICI, ING, KPN, Lucent, Philips, Renault, Royal Bank of Scotland, Saudi Aramco, Shell, UBS-Warburg, Unilever, Vivendi Universal, Vodafone and Wolters Kluwer.

About SAPSAP is the world's leading provider of e-business software solutions. Through the mySAP.com® e-business platform, people in businesses around the globe are improving relationships with customers and partners, streamlining operations, and achieving significant efficiencies throughout their supply chains. Today, more than 17,000 companies in over 120 countries run more than 44,500 installations of SAP® software. With subsidiaries in over 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." (Additional information at http://www.sap.com)

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